With their destination coming up the team decided that they needed to give themselves various roles to hide their true nature. Azura was going to be a noble from Unicornia seeking to get ahead of the new slave laws by getting a few slaves to impress her rich friends while the rest of them were mercenaries hired to protect her. Windward tried to get to be her husband, even after being pointed out that only unicorns lived in Unicornia, but he was threatened to be her slave if he didn’t shut up.

Eventually, there were two ships coming towards them with no sight of the island anywhere in the area. They were small and built for speed with large crossbows pointed at the ship while its grey uniformed guards held spears and shields. Captain Razorwing slowed the ship down, allowing a few griffins to fly aboard with their weapons at their side. Azura poised straight and regal, reminding Spike of the nobles of Canterlot a bit, as she stood there side by side with Spike and Captain Razorwing.

The leader of the guards, a griffin with a scar over his head, walked over to them. “This sea area is private. State your business or be forced to turn around.”

“I am Lady Azura Nightingale of the Grand and Noble House of Nightingale. Daughter of Lord Ironeye Nightingale and Lady Willow Nightingale. I am from the City of Emerald Fields here to seek some new slaves. Now allow me to speak to somepony important because talking to you bird heads is annoying already.” Azura’s eyes narrowed. “The fact that I had travel all this way in secret is already messing with my busy schedule to the point where I had to cancel three parties and deny two croquet games with my friends. Now be a dear and allow me in already. I am disgusted that I have to breath the same air as these... non-unicorns.”

Damn, really like the nobles of Canterlot, thought Spike.

The griffin muttered to himself about “snippy nobles” and nodded to one of his lackeys who proceeded to wave to their ship. A bright burning light fired from the ship towards the direction of the sea. Spike could feel his throat clench while wondering if that was a good signal or a bad one. His answer soon came when he spotted something appearing slowly as if it was being summoned by mists. Just as a mirage appearing out of the air, the island they had been searching for began to form in front of them. It was as if somepony wiped away an invisible smudge that had been in front of the island.

“The island can turn invisible?” Aquilina asked, out of curiosity.

“Quit, mercenary! Speak when I ask you to!” Azura shouted, making the former slave glare at her, but she remained quiet. Azura turned back to the leader of the guard and raised her eyebrow. “Although, I must admit I am curious myself.”

“We have a means to hide our island from sight unless we wish it. Usually for customers or ships delivering new slaves. Mistress Loveshot can tell you more if your curious. Please follow us to the port. Any sign of vering of course or trouble and we will shoot you down.”

The griffins proceed to leave while Aquilina turned to Azura and muttered, “Speak when I ask you to.”

“Hey, you want me to do this role right? That’s how you do it,” Azura grumbled as she walked away.

“Regardless, we’re so far in. Let’s keep our cool and follow these bastards,” Captain Razorwing said as he made his way to the wheel.

Spike looked at his friends and said, “I also think we should have half of us wait here. I’m thinking Aquilina and Windward will guard the ship while Azura, Razorwing, Yasahiro, and I go on land.”

“Why am I staying here?” Aquilina asked, puffing her cheeks.

“Because I know you want to cut off the balls of every slaver here and I need you to be under control before you decide to go on a killing spree,” Spike said with a deadpan expression. “Right or wrong?”

“... Fine, but I get first kills later,” Aquilina grumbled, crossing her arms.

“And me?” Windward asked.

“Because Azura needs to concentrate on her role without you trying to get under her tail,” Spike answered. “Besides, if things go south you two are the fastest fliers we got and can back us up if need be.”

“Besides, you’d most likely ask to try out one of the sex slaves,” Azura stated, snorting in disgust.

Windward looked at Azura with a gasp of horror. “I’m offended you would think such a thing of me, Azura. Now if I was your sex slave? That’s a different ballgame. Totally down for that, Master.”

A few seconds later and Captain Razorwing was yelling at Azura to stop trying to kill Windward with his ships anchor.

***

It took at least an hour to get to the small island. Most of it seemed to be protected by strong stone walls that made up a huge fortress. Spike took note of the guard towers, glowing pillars of white stone, and the catapults on the walls. Okay, my plan of freeing all the slaves is looking more and more difficult by the minute.

After setting anchor, everyone minus Aquilina and Windward exited the ship where a small entourage was waiting for them. Most of them were guards, but there were two ponies, one earth and one pegasus, with rope around their wings and barrel, that were dirty looking and wore rags as clothing. Spike did his bet not to wince from the smell as the two slaves waved their fans at a female unicorn who was the exact opposite of them. Her silver coat and blue bunned mane were clean and sparkling while her purple and golden robes appeared to be freshly done. Giving a sparkling smile, the unicorn stepped forward and bowed to Azura who nodded back.

“Welcome to the Island of Nima, my lady. I take it you are the one here to make a purchase?” the unicorn greeted with a charming voice. Her smile was like that of a loving and caring mother, yet the two dead gazing ponies beside her spoke differently.

“I am. I am Lady Azura Nightingale of the Grand and Noble House of Nightingale from Unicornia,” Azura answered.

“Ah yes, we were expecting Unicornians to learn about our... business practices here in the Erebus Islands soon after the new slave law passed. I thought the practice of your nation was to only take slaves from those you conquer?”

“Times change. And if I am to keep up with the times I must have a set of my own slaves so that I stay ahead of the other nobles,” Azura answered in a dull tone while taking a moment to look at her hoof. “May we talk more inside Miss...”

“Mistress Loveshot,” she answered, offering to lead the group down the pier. “I am the caretaker of my little children here.” She turned over to the pegasus slave and patted her cheek. “And I do take good care, don’t I my lovely?”

“Yes, Mistress. You take care of us,” he answered in a monotone voice. He raised his eyes to gaze at the others, yet despite him breathing in front of them there was no life in his pupils. While he spoke, not once did he stop fanning. “Mistress makes sure we are fed and disciplined so we can serve others. It is our only purpose in life.”

“Yes, my dear. Yes it is,” Mistress Loveshot said with another pat on the cheek. She turned around and cheerfully said, “Shall we proceed?”

She lead them up a long set of stairs where archers of different races were stationed with their bows drawn and eyes ever alert. The size of the fortress grew until they reached the top where a iron gate was waiting them. It slowly opened, allowing the group to enter a large courtyard where they were greeted to a grim sight. A huge array of slaves, covered in whip marks and dried blood, were tied to long wooden posts under the burning sun above. They all ranged in all ages from young teens to mid-aged adults with every race that could walk or fly seen suffering beside one another. Armored guards circled around the poles, blood covered whips with spikes by their side. In front of the poles was female minotaur guard, speaking into a megaphone. “My life is over, my new live has begun. I shall be a servant to those with the right sum.”

To Spike and his friends horror, the slaves all repeated in unison as if it was a prayer at a church. “My life is over, my new life has come. I shall be a servant to those with the right sum.”

“The gods have forsaken me. My punishment is to serve. Only by serving my betters shall my life be preserved.”

“The gods have forsaken me. My punishment is to serve. Only by serving my betters shall my life be preserved,” they answered again.

“For until death claims me, I am nothing but a tool. Here to be used by my betters be they kings or a fool.”

“For until death claims me, I am nothing but a tool. Here to be used by my betters be they kings or a fool.”

“I shall obey every command. I shall not stop to debate. I am a slave. This is my fate.”

“I shall obey every command. I shall not stop to debate. I am a slave. This is my fate.”

However, one unicorn pony was too late to finish and was suddenly whipped by three guards over and over again, receiving fresh wounds as she cried out for mercy before getting punched in the face. Her jaw broken, she was unable to speak so she just cried in misery until one of the guards shook his head to another. That guard proceed to take out his dagger to free her of their bonds before dragging her limp broken body to a door.

“Where are they taking her?” Azura asked, curious, but her eyes filled with pity.

“This process you see is one of our many methods to get our slaves to... accept the cruel fate given to them by the gods. Some quickly learn, others need weeks or months to go through this and other methods to become... rectified into their position. Of course, after they pass they become one hundred percent obedient,” Mistress Loveshot answered with a twitch of a smile. “As for the poor dear, well I’m afraid she’ll be placed into the infirmary to fix her jaw before starting all over again.”

“How long does the process take?” Azura asked, gulping.

“I’d say an average of five to eight days.” Mistress Loveshot proceed to lead them forward as Spike couldn’t help but keep his eyes focused on poor souls who were melting in the sun, festered in their dirty blood. Their eyes all spoke a single wish that was presented without hesitation or dispair.

‘Kill me’.

***

Spike put down his fork while trying to force the food down his throat. Mistress Loveshot had surprised them all with a small meal at her dinner table which was quite ornate compared to the outside, with lavishing flowers, pictures, and silverware. Slaves, silent as a grave, served the food or waited around to be served including a tiny dragon girl serving water who was no bigger then Spike was when he arrived in Erebus.

A few guards were around them, ones that could be easily taken down if needed, but so far things had been... civil. Or at least as civil as one could get with a slaver dealer.

“Now that we’ve had our fill,” Mistress Loveshot said, wiping her mouth, “what sort of slaves are you looking for?”

“Well, what kinds do you have? I must know so I know what to use as a theme in my big ball this year,” Azura answered, folding her hooves.

“We mostly have your basic servants, caretakers, cooks, and, naturally, sex slaves. Sadly, no warrior slaves. They aren’t allowed outside of The Great Chain Reef.”

“Hmm, interesting. I heard that griffin slaves are quite a unique kind. I don’t think any of my friends have seen a griffin before except for their school lessons in books,” Azura said, eyeing a certain sea captain who was doing his best to stay still.

“They are quite a sight. However, they are often the most resistant next to the dragons. With dragons, you simply poison the gems they eat with enough drugs laced on them to slowly lose their minds and become docile.” Mistress Loveshot drink her tea before continuing. “Griffins are the most resistant of the lot. You can clip their wings, pluck their talons, shave them naked, whip them, even have a guard... pleasure them forcefully.”

Spike could hear the Razorwing’s glass slightly crack from the pressure in his hands.

“But you really have to get your work to break them mentally,” she finished, handing the cup to a servant who walked away after bowing.

“Are such measures necessary?” Spike asked, unable to help himself.

Mistress Loveshot smirked before turning to one of her guards. “Bring me two griffin slaves. The less expensive ones in cleaning.”

A few minutes later, he returned with two young male griffins, one with a mix of blue and red feathers with black fur while the second was yellow and white feathers with brown fur. The two of them bowed without blinking as they stood there for a few minutes until Mistress Loveshot clapped her hooves and they stood straight up. Thankfully, neither of them were their target.

She then turned to one of the Diamond Dog guards that reminded Spike of a dalmation yet his eyes were unique. One was blue while the other was green with the former giving off a cold glare while the latter held life and joy. His eyes briefly connected with Spike which gave the dragon a shiver down his spine, but he didn’t know why. “Sir Marshall? Will you please give one of the slaves your knife?”

“Sure thing,” He said in a cheery tone before tossing it over to the blue and red feathered griffin. “Careful with that. I’m betting it in tonight’s poker game.”

Mistress Loveshot turned to the griffin with the knife. “Slave, kill the griffin next to you.” Everyone’s eyes lit up as they turned to the slaves who continued to stand there without any sort of sign on their faces except their emotionless gaze. “Slave about to die, don’t struggle or scream while your dying. That’s an order.”

“Yes, Mistress Loveshot,” they both said before facing each other.

The one with the knife instantly cut at the throat of the other slave who held his cut neck while his eyes went wide with pain. He fell to the floor, gasping for air, but he never once shook with shock or begged for help. Spike raised from his seat, unable to hide his horror as the griffin slowly died in front of him. When the last gasp of air left his body and his eyes rolled behind his head, only then did Spike finally turn away with tears in his eyes as did Captain Razorwing. Azura, to her credit, bit her lip and closed her eyes, but remained posed for her role while Yasahiro just sat there with his paw drawing closer to one of his blades. All while the other slave just stood there staring into the distance with no sign of remorse, guilt, shame, or glee. He looked like complete and utter stone.

Mistress Loveshot smirked before getting up and stroking the slave’s neck. “Obedient. Emotionless. Through. And best of all I don’t even have to use those spells Ars Arcanum uses. I was chosen for this spot because I can show not only how good our tactics can be, but our outside clients can be impressed.” She stood in front of the griffin slave before smirking at him. “Now kill yourself darling. Try not to get blood spilled on my table.”

The griffin was about to raise the knife to its neck, but to the surprise of everyone in Spike’s group that was prevented by the least likely of them. Yasahiro rushed across the table, kicking the plates and food across the kitchen while drawing one of his katanas. At first it looked like he was going to attack the slave, but steel met steel as the katana knocked the knife out of the griffins claws. It sailed into the air until it landed stuck on a painting of a navy unicorn officer, right between its legs as he stood up holding the flag of Equestria.

All the guards instantly drew their weapons and pointed them at Yasahiro who didn’t even flinch at this. He instead glared at Mistress Loveshot who looked frightened by the speed before trying to glare back. However, the narrowing warning glare from the kitsune samurai was enough to make her stand down.

“I think my mercenary has seen enough, and if he wants his pay he’ll stand down and return to the ship,” Azura warned, gritting her teeth in worry.

Yasahiro slowly sheathed his katana before jumping off the table, bowed, and left with a set of guards following him weapons drawn. Mistress Loveshot fanned her face with her hoof before turning to the slave and ordering him to leave. Sitting back down, she cleared her throat and said, “You choose your guards well, Lady Azura. But I ask that you refrain from doing such things in the future.”

“I understand. Perhaps we should get to work and have you set up a set of slaves featuring your griffins? Again, I am impressed by them,” Azura said, standing up.

“Of course, I’ll have the guards escort you to the lounge where you can wait with some brownies and coffee,” Mistress Loveshot said as she made her way towards the exits.

“Before we go, may I use your restroom?” Spike asked. “I’m afraid I’ve developed a dislike of chamber pots for our voyage.”

She nodded, turning to the Diamond Dog Guard, Marshall, who smiled at Spike and motioned him to follow down a different path. He followed the dog guard until there was a washroom sign in front of a wooden door. Before he went it, Marshall grabbed Spike’s hand and smirked at him. “Relax, this happens all the time with customers. There’s some breath minds in the lower cabinets when you’re done.”

Spike didn’t say anything, but slowly entered, closed the door, and locked it. He then dived for the toilet to let loose the lunch he had been eating just moments ago. He felt tears drip down his cheeks as he let loose without hesitation. The images of the slaves tied to their posts, the dead eyes in each of them, and the way that the griffin died without even fighting for his life and how easily the second was ready to kill himself. He had seen horrible things in his time here in Erebus, but it was never easier. It was taking every bit of his will power not to burn this place to the ground.

When the last of his meal had exited his stomach, he slowly got up and looked out the window where the slaves were still muttering the same mantra under the burning sun.

I’ve got to get them out of here...

Author's Note

As always please feel free to help out at the TV Tropes Page https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/TheAssassinationOfTwilightSparkle

And be sure to read Path Of The Tyrant for its chapters.